27 Jan Team to face Newport at the Brewery

Posted at 13:00h in 2022/23 Website News by

There’s another home game for Bridgend Ravens to look forward to this Saturday when in-form Newport are the visitors to the Dunraven Brewery Field (2:30pm).

Bridgend will be desperate to get back into action following two successive victories over Pontypridd and Carmarthen Quins which has elevated Tom Smith’s side to ninth in the Indigo Premiership table.

Bridgend’s scheduled match last Saturday at the Wern was called off at the last minute due to a frozen pitch, and Newport’s game went the same way at Newport Stadium where they were due to play Llandovery.

Due to the Covid enforced break, and change in league structure last season, Bridgend haven’t played Newport in a competitive fixture at the Dunraven Brewery Field since January 2020. It was certainly a game to remember, with Newport coming out on top thanks to a last minute Matt O’Brien penalty, despite a sensational second half comeback from the home side which saw them come back from a large halftime deficit. Bridgend’s tries that afternoon were scored by Dewi Cross (2), Nathan Edwards, Chris Williams and a penalty try which had seemingly won the match for them, before O’Brien struck a monster penalty to break Bridgend hearts.

Newport won both of last season’s competitive meetings between the sides, both at Newport Stadium; by 25 pts to 9 and 45 pts to 17.

Smith goes back to a more regular starting lineup this weekend, one which will see Gareth Harvey make his 100th club appearance, having been denied that landmark in last Saturday’s postponed match with the Ironmen.

There’s wholesale changes to the team that was due to lineup at the Wern. Edd Howley, Ryan Edwards and Mike Powell make up an exciting back three. Stuart Floyd Ellis retains his place in midfield alongside the experienced Rhys Williams. Paul Short gets a start at 10, with Chris Williams his half back partner.

Amongst the forwards, Harry Olding returns to his more familiar starting place in the front row; Gareth Harvey and Liam Tobias are his front row compatriots. Hemi Barnes and Ben Thomas pair up in the second row, with a back row comprising Iestyn Merriman, Jordan Collier and captain Zac O’Driscoll.

Hooker Jack Walker, on permit from Llanharan, is in line for a club debut should he make an appearance from the replacements bench.

Bridgend Ravens XV: 15. Edd Howley 14. Mike Powell 13. Stuart Floyd Ellis 12. Rhys Williams 11. Ryan Edwards 10. Paul Short 9. Chris Williams

1. Harry Olding 2. Gareth Harvey 3. Liam Tobias 4. Ben Thomas 5. Hemi Barnes 6. Iestyn Merriman 7. Zac O’Driscoll (capt)  8. Jordan Collier

Replacements: 16. Jack Walker 17. Owen Jordan 18. Curtis Hicks 19. Aled Evans 20. Dafi Davies 21. Dylan Davies  22. Luke Price  23. Joseph Gatt